Passengers reported feeling unwell due to cruelty. Heat and lack of ventilation. Many passengers, including the elderly and young children, suffered symptoms of heat exhaustion.
“I was traveling from Delhi to Darbhanga (SG 486) by SpiceJet.At the Delhi airport after check-in, they didn't turn on the air conditioning for an hour. The temperature inside the flight was 40 degrees. Passengers faced problems. AC was switched on when the flight took off,” said passenger Rohan Kumar.
The airline responds.
SpiceJet issued a statement addressing the concerns raised by the passengers and said that the air-conditioning was functioning normally throughout the flight, which was confirmed and cross-checked upon arrival.
“SpiceJet flight SG 476, scheduled to depart from Delhi to Darbhanga on June 19, at 11 am, departed on time without any delay. Air conditioning was functioning normally throughout the flight, with Darbhanga Confirmed and cross-checked on arrival.Boarding in Delhi, the air-conditioning initially suffered minor problems due to severe weather conditions and both aircraft doors being open, as the doors immediately closed after boarding was completed. were shut down, and the cooling functioned normally thereafter, explained a SpiceJet spokesperson.
Heat wave situation in Delhi
Meanwhile, a severe heat wave is scorching large areas of northern India, with temperatures soaring in the national capital. Delhi, already suffering from severe water crisis, recorded a maximum temperature of 44 degrees Celsius, five degrees above the seasonal normal. The minimum temperature in the city was 33.8 degrees Celsius, at least six degrees above the normal for this time of the year.
Hospitals in Delhi-NCR are witnessing an influx of patients suffering from heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Doctors are advising the elderly and immunocompromised people to avoid going outside as the mercury continues to rise.
The National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed that at least 56 deaths from heatstroke have occurred in several states. In May alone, 46 people died of heatstroke, with 1,918 suspected cases reported. Statistics from various states show that more than 700,000 people were admitted to primary care hospital emergency departments due to heat-related illnesses.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that severe heat wave is likely to persist in several parts of North India on Wednesday. However, a gradual decrease is expected as a Western Disturbance approaches northwest India.
The IMD reported that heatwave conditions prevailed in most parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh and some parts of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, and North Madhya Pradesh.